The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
Shine, shine, the light of good works shine
The watch before the city gates depicted in their prime
That golden light all grimy now
Three hundred years have passed
The worthy Captain and his squad of troopers standing fast
The artist knew their faces well
The husbands of his lady friends
His creditors and councilors
In armor bright, the merchant men
Official moments of the guild
In poses keen from bygone days
The city fathers frozen there
Upon the canvas dark with age
The smell of paint, a flask of wine
And turn those faces all to me
The blunderbuss and halberd-shaft
And Dutch respectability
They make their entrance one by one
Defenders of that way of life
The redbrick home, the bourgeoisie
Guitar lessons for the wife
So many years we suffered here
Our country racked with Spanish wars
Now comes a chance to find ourselves
And quiet reigns behind our doors
We think about posterity again
And so the pride of little men
The burghers good and true
Still living through the painter's hand
Request you all to understand
The watch before the city gates depicted in their prime
That golden light all grimy now
Three hundred years have passed
The worthy Captain and his squad of troopers standing fast
The artist knew their faces well
The husbands of his lady friends
His creditors and councilors
In armor bright, the merchant men
Official moments of the guild
In poses keen from bygone days
The city fathers frozen there
Upon the canvas dark with age
The smell of paint, a flask of wine
And turn those faces all to me
The blunderbuss and halberd-shaft
And Dutch respectability
They make their entrance one by one
Defenders of that way of life
The redbrick home, the bourgeoisie
Guitar lessons for the wife
So many years we suffered here
Our country racked with Spanish wars
Now comes a chance to find ourselves
And quiet reigns behind our doors
We think about posterity again
And so the pride of little men
The burghers good and true
Still living through the painter's hand
Request you all to understand
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death-jargon: I think you are way off the mark with your analysis.
This song talks of a picture of 17th century Dutch society and the prosperity they now enjoy after their struggle for independence from Spain has ended: a period called the Dutch Golden Age.
When I say picture, I mean it both literally and figuratively. The author is talking about a painting of Dutch people from theafforementioned era, that he can now appreciate "three hundred years" later. I believe the precise painting to be one called "The Nightwatch", more aptly named "The Militia Company of Captain Frans Banning Cocq", by Rembrandt.
As a listener, you cannot help but feel as if you were standing next to the author, contemplating a three-centuries old portrait of authentic "bourgeois" society as he describes the particular feelings of the people of the era: the smell of paint, the redbrick home, the Dutch respectability, the chance to live a peaceful life again. You are invaded with an overwhelming sense of awe at the quintessential bourgeioise of the people portrayed.
The word that comes to mind is contentedness, not stagnance. The portrayed men are the creme-de-la-creme of their environment, a new and prosperous society in its Golden Age, riding high on the wave of the european Renaissance and considered leaders in trade, science and art.
The painting itself: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NightWatch(painting)
More reading: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dutch_Golden_Age
@frijolito_ts I came here, because I hit another point in my life where King Crimson is in rotation and I had the reoccurring urge to know more about this song... saw I had posted something completely wrong. 19 year-old me....apparently really dumb, possibly an edgelord. <br /> But your explanation is awesome and you are right, the song's ethos supports the context/content.